Apparatus and methods for food processing

Abstract

The present invention is related to apparatus and methods for food processing using nonthermal sterilization methods. A frequency generator generates a pathogen specific modulation frequency which is modulated onto a carrier wave by a radio frequency generator resulting in an output signal. The output signal is then amplified and output via an antenna for radiation of a food.

1 ) A device for sterilizing food, comprising: 
 a frequency generator,    a radio frequency generator,    an amplifier, and,    an antenna,    whereby said frequency generator provides a signal of a desired frequency to said radio frequency generator, which modulates said signal onto a carrier wave, which is amplified via said amplifier and output via said antenna in the form of audio, radio and light waves, and where said waves radiate a food to be sterilized.    
   
   
       2 ) A device as in  claim 1  wherein said antenna further comprises a plasma antenna.  
   
   
       3 ) A device as in  claim 1  further comprising a tuner, to match impedances between said amplifier and said antenna.  
   
   
       4 ) A device as in  claim 2  wherein said output further comprises a plasma wave.  
   
   
       5 ) A device as in  claim 1  wherein said antenna further comprises an antenna array.  
   
   
       6 ) A device as in  claim 5  wherein said antenna further comprises a phased antenna array.  
   
   
       7 ) A device as in  claim 1  further comprising a sampling mechanism.  
   
   
       8 ) A device as in  claim 7  wherein said sampling mechanism further comprising a feedback loop for confirming desired output.  
   
   
       9 ) A device as in  claim 1  wherein said signal of said desired frequency is a pathogen specific modulation frequency.  
   
   
       10 ) A method for sterilizing food comprising exposing said food to nonthermal radiation which is further comprised of audio, radio and light waves and wherein said nonthermal radiation is determined according to a pathogen specific modulation frequency.  
   
   
       11 ) A method as in  claim 10  further comprising exposing said food to nonthermal radiation which is further comprised of plasma waves.  
   
   
       12 ) A method for treating food comprising: 
 determining a pathogenic specific modulation frequency;    providing said pathogen specific frequency to an antenna;    radiating, from said antenna a wave with frequency characteristics determined from said pathogen specific frequency.    
   
   
       13 ) A method for treating food comprising: 
 generating a pathogen specific modulation frequency;    modulating said pathogen specific modulation frequency onto a carrier wave resulting in a output signal;    amplifying said output signal;    broadcasting said output signal, as a combination of audio, radio and light waves, and so irradiating a food to be sterilized.    
   
   
       14 ) A method for treating food preparation areas comprising: 
 generating a pathogen specific modulation frequency;    modulating said pathogen specific modulation frequency onto a carrier wave resulting in an output signal;    amplifying said output signal;    broadcasting said output signal, as a combination of audio, radio and light waves, and so irradiating a food preparation area.    
   
   
       15 ) A method as in  claim 13  wherein said carrier wave is between 2 MHz to 40 MHz.  
   
   
       16 ) A method as in  claim 13  wherein generating a pathogen specific modulation frequency further comprises generating a generating a pathogen specific modulation frequency in the form of a square wave.  
   
   
       17 ) A method as in  claim 13  wherein modulating said pathogen specific modulation frequency onto a carrier wave resulting in an output signal further comprises modulating said pathogen specific modulation frequency onto a carrier wave resulting in a pulsed output signal.  
   
   
       18 ) A method as in  claim 13  wherein broadcasting said output signal, as a combination of audio, radio and light waves, further comprises broadcasting said output signal, as a combination of audio, radio, light and plasma waves.  
   
   
       19 ) A method as in  claim 13  further comprising sampling said output signal.  
   
   
       20 ) A method as in  claim 13  wherein said output signal is amplified to a power level of between 50 to 250 watts.  
   
   
       21 ) A method as in  claim 13  wherein broadcasting of said output signal occurs via an antenna array.  
   
   
       22 ) A method as in  claim 21  wherein said antenna array further comprises a phased antenna array.  
   
   
       23 ) A method as in  claim 13  further comprising broadcasting a range of frequencies.  
   
   
       24 ) A method as in  claim 23  further comprising automatically controlling said range of frequencies.  
   
   
       25 ) A method as in  claim 13  further comprising determining pathogen specific modulation frequencies appropriate to a specific food.  
   
   
       26 ) A method as in  claim 13  further comprising determining pathogen specific modulation frequencies.  
   
   
       27 ) A method for sterilizing food comprising exposing said food to nonthermal radiation which is further comprised of audio, radio and light waves and wherein said nonthermal radiation is determined according to a modulation frequency appropriate to undesired agents.  
   
   
       28 ) A method for treating food comprising applying electrodes to a food, wherein said electrodes transmit a pathogen specific modulated current.